Inspiration: Feature Story

Inspiration: Feature Story

Inspired by Glass: Transparent Displays for Retail Applications

Transparent Displays for Retail Applications

Corning’s specialty glass is finding myriad new applications in industries such as retail

Corning first introduced its vision for advanced glass technologies back in 2011 with its “A Day Made of Glass” video series. Since the series’ launch, we’ve seen the Glass Age come to life through collaboration across numerous industries, showing the potential for advanced applications enabled by specialty glass.

In the latest installment of “Inspired by Glass,” Corning joins forces with MemoMi on its MemoryMirror™ which utilizes Corning’s transparent display technology and features Corning® Gorilla® Glass. The application of a special functional film on the thin, durable Gorilla Glass surface creates a transparent display that is redefining the shopping experience.

“To stay competitive, physical brick-and-mortar stores need to bring more of the interactive digital experience one would find online right into the store,” said Ryan Flannery, manager of Exploratory Markets and Technologies at Corning. “Gorilla Glass, with its advanced touch capabilities and transparent display technology, is enabling a more dynamic and intuitive in-store shopping experience.”

Transparent Display Technology

Transparent Display Technology

While Gorilla Glass is well known for its role as a cover glass for a variety of consumer electronic products, it is beginning to make an appearance in the retail industry through this digital mirror. The Corning technology is not only delivering an added level of customization to a shopper’s experience, but also responding to retailers’ desire to bridge the gap between in-store and online shopping.

With 360-degree viewing capabilities, shoppers can stand in front of the mirror and see the complete outfit they’re trying on from various angles. The capacitive touch technology on the Gorilla Glass display allows shoppers to record video of themselves to replay or share with just the touch of a finger. And paired with a store’s database, shoppers can have the potential to try on new accessories or clothing options without ever stepping into a dressing room.

“When we saw Corning’s ‘A Day Made of Glass’ video, it sparked our inspiration to collaborate with Corning by using the Gorilla Glass technology and transparency to create an innovative shopping experience,” said Salvador Nissi Vilcovsky, one of the founders of MemoMi.

"Corning’s advanced glass technologies have the potential to expand the possibilities of in-store shopping as we’ve seen in 'A Day Made of Glass.'"

Vilcovsky and his team worked closely with Corning to create this one-of-a-kind digital mirror that paired MemoMi’s love for design with Corning’s passion for advanced glass technologies. And the end product ultimately fit nicely with the vision of one of the leading luxury retailers - Neiman Marcus.

“The customer experience is always at the heart of what we do,” said Alan Morrell, general manager at the Union Square store. “Our brand identity is a mixture of technology, art, and fashion, so we think this technology helps to enhance and reinforce that identity for our customers.”

Corning’s advanced glass technologies have the potential to expand the possibilities of in-store shopping as we’ve seen in “A Day Made of Glass.” The collaboration with MemoMi on the MemoryMirror’s transparent display gave Neiman Marcus shoppers a taste for what is possible and showed how Corning is continuing to collaborate on life-changing innovations.